The Hindu Business Line : Karnataka police tells BPOs to ensure safety of staff

OVER 100 representatives of BPOs here were asked to adopt best HR practices and ensure safety and security of its employees. The City Police Commissioner, Mr Ajay Kumar Singh, convened a meeting here on Tuesday to discuss safety and security issues of BPO employees (especially women) in the wake of the murder of Hewlett Packard employee Ms Pratibha Srikantamurthy here last Tuesday.

Mr Singh said that though employing women in the night shifts was allowed under the existing law, it was necessary to provide adequate security to them, failing which may attract legal action.

"The police is doing its best to ensure safety and security to all citizens, but it is the responsibility of BPO companies to supplement our effort," he said.

He also said that all IT and ITeS companies should install GPS (Global Positioning System) in their transport vehicles.

Company representatives on their part suggested that police should assist BPOs by providing background data of drivers that are recruited for transporting employees.

Nasscom's view: Meanwhile, the Nasscom President, Mr Kiran Karnik, told newspersons here on Tuesday that the ITeS sector has put in place a system to ensure safety of all its employees but there may be people who can outsmart the system.

"It is not only women in call centres who work and travel late in the night, there are also those working in the hospitality industry, the media and even women passengers who arrive alone on international flights.

"The safety issue should be looked at from a broader perspective."

He was also against using the incident as a case for banning night shifts for women and felt that women should decide on the matter themselves.